Description

POPRULE is a constructed variable that indicates the method by which the probable child-mother link shown in POPLOC was identified.

The IPUMS family interrelationship variables address two types of ambiguity when forming links. First, we prioritize links based on how clear the relationship is between the two people being linked. Second, when links are not unique we use a series of logical steps to select between multiple potential parents. MOMRULE, POPRULE, MOM2RULE, and POP2RULE are all two digit variables that show how these two types of ambiguity were addressed when forming a parental link. The first digit indicates how direct the relationship is between the two people and the second digit indicates if the link was selected among multiple options and, if so, how it was selected.

We first prioritize links within a household based how clear the relationship is between the two people being linked (using RELATE). The links in the first priority level are direct links, so there are no age restrictions placed on these links. For links in the second priority level, the difference in the age of the "child" half of the link the "parent" half of the link must be 15 to 44 for mothers and 15 to 60 for fathers. For links in the third through fifth level, the same age difference restrictions apply. In addition, third- through fifth-level links only occur when the "child" half of the link is under 22 and is single. The spouse or partner of someone's parent will be identified as their parent in the same step. For example, the child of the respondent is a direct link to the respondent; the partner of the head will also be identified as the child's parent in this same step.

Direct links: Parental rule value: 1-

Child to Respondent

Respondent to Parent

Sibling to Parent

2nd level linksParental rule value: 2-

Grandchild to Child

Non-household child to Respondent

Child to Spouse, Partner

3rd level linksParental rule value: 3-

Housemate to Housemate

Roomer to Roomer

Other relative to Other relative, sibling

Non-relative to Unmarried partner, Non-relative

While the first step to finding a spouse or parental link is based on their relationship to the reference person, this may not enough to uniquely determine the link. It is not uncommon for a person to be in a household where there are multiple people who could be their parent. To be able to select among multiple potential links, we apply a set of logical steps within each priority level that selects among multiple potential links. This information is captured in the second digit of POPRULE.

As shown in the list below, parental links that are direct are made first, because these links are unique. For example, a person identified as the child of the respondent will link directly to the respondent. For those who were not linked to a parent through a direct link, the second step identifies people in households where there is one married couple who could be their parents. If there are multiple people who could pair to multiple married parents, they are split by age; for example, the eldest children will pair with the eldest couple. If there are no married couples that are possible parents, people who were previously married are selected as parents. If there are no parents who were previously married, the eldest single woman will be identified as the parent. The last potential parent who will be identified is a single man.

Clarity level 1 Parental rule value: -1

This step identifies parents through links that are uniquely identified by relationship (direct links from previous list).

Clarity level 2Parental rule value: -2

When a person is in a household where there is one married couple who could be his/her parents. This couple is identified as the probable parents.

Clarity level 3Parental rule value: -3

When a person is in a household where there is are multiple married couples who could be his/her parents. Age is used to create pairings.

Clarity level 4Parental rule value: -4

When a person is in a household with no married couple who could be their parent, but there is only one potential unmarried parent in the household. This person is identified as their parent.

Clarity level 5Parental rule value: -5

When a person is in a household with no married couple who could be their parent and there are multiple possible parents. The first option selected is a woman who was previously married.

Clarity level 6 Parental rule value: -6

When a person is in a household with no married couple who could be their parent, there is no previously married woman who would be their parent, and there are multiple possible parents. This step will identify a man who was previously married as the parent.

Clarity level 7Parental rule value: -7

When a person is in a household with no married couple or previously married people who could be their parent. In this step, the eldest single woman is selected as the parent.

Clarity level 8 Parental rule value: -8

When a person is in a household with no married couple, previously married people, or single women who could be their parent. In this step, the eldest single man is selected as the parent.

The two steps together determine the value of POPRULE. For example, in a household consisting of a respondent, a male child, and a grandchild, the son will be identified as the father to the grandchild. This link would be formed with priority 2 during clarity level 4. POPRULE would therefore be 24.

Comparability

The development of new family interrelationship variables was prompted by the desire to have more comparability between different IPUMS projects and over time. Each project has different allowed links because of different level of detail in each project, but the logic of assigning parents in ambiguous situations is the same.